As petrol prices goes up, some want return of RON 92

Fuel prices are down today, but it was on an upward trend prior to this week’s dive. Rising transport costs have been affecting those in the lower income ground and now, there are calls from consumer associations for the government to bring back cheaper RON 92 petrol, The Sun reports.

Deputy president of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations Yusof Abdul Rahman said it was timely for the government to bring back RON 92 to offset the rising cost of living. “RON 92 could be used for vehicles with lower engine capacity, which mostly belong to those in the lower income group,” he told the daily, while suggesting that the government provide a subsidy on RON 92 to assist those in the B40 (bottom 40% in income) bracket.

Heard the call before? In September 2013, then deputy finance minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan suggested that RON 92 be brought back as a cheaper petrol option after the price of RON 95 went up by 20 sen.

RON 92 petrol was discontinued in 2009, replaced by the current RON 95 as the default petrol grade. The report pointed out that in Singapore, SPC’s LEVO 92 grade currently retails at S$2.19 per litre (RM6.66), slightly lower than the S$2.23 (RM6.78) of LEVO 95.

The Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association suggests a different approach. Chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said studies need to be done on RON 92 to establish its impact on the environment. “It may not be suitable for the environment and all vehicle types,” he said, adding that the government could alternatively introduce a targeted subsidy initiative. “For example, petrol subsidy could be given to those earning below RM3,000 per month,” he said.

Bringing back RON 92 is not viable, according to Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz. “New cars are made for RON 95 and above. Going back will only create havoc to the industry,” he said, adding that instead of that, the government should ensure that fuel options are priced and subsidised fairly.

The government has taken note of the situation and says it is looking into appropriate measures to reduce the impact of rising global petroleum prices. It will introduce these should the price of RON 95 and diesel in the country exceed RM2.50 per litre consecutively for the next three months.

“The government is concerned and understands the impact following the rise of global crude oil prices that are presently more than US$60 (RM250) per barrel. Currently, the government has implemented a rationalisation step towards subsidising petroleum products in line with the trend of rising or decreasing world crude oil prices. This measure has been successful in reducing leakage and ensuring targeted subsidies,” the ministry of finance said in a statement.

The government says that it still subsidises fuel in this new managed float system. “Although we went through (a change in) fuel price mechanism, the government still subsidises (fuel prices) sometimes. In certain periods if it goes up, we subsidise a bit,” treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said last month.

“We still subsidise a few hundred million (ringgit) a month, but I don’t know what will happen in the future. Formerly, we subsidised RM22 billion, after rationalising, around hundreds of million,” he added.

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

RON has nothing to do with how ‘clean’ a fuel is. The higher RON is to prevent knocking effect in engine and the only way to use lower RON values is to de-tune the engine. Highly efficient engines ekceli needs higher RON fuels (ie Skyactiv) due to the higher compression ratios needing later detonation. Ditto to tebo engines as well. Clean burning relates to EURO numbers, not RON.

Really, only in lab?
I got 20km/l easily last time I rented an Axia auto, travelling in the city, and that was my first time. Honda City, similar thing. Myvi auto, same deal. Here’s a tip; accelerate as fast as you will, but if at any point when you’re accelerating you tense your neck even slightly, you’re already accelerating too fast. This is civilized city driving, and as a bonus it is economical. It’s not even that slow, people are just too impatient. Many times when people would overtake me after a traffic light, we’d end up stopping at the same sets of lights the next 2 or 3 times. Why burn away more fuel and end up at the same place as the slow guy? People complain that these cars don’t perform as advertised, when in reality they’re the ones that have terrible driving habits.

We should go back further, use charcoal and steam engine… then this whole negara macam apa nama cerita anime itu???
I am sure the petrol station guys gonna complain that they will need to have additional cost to maintain a separate tank for RON 92 and ask government for help.
Oh please government from 1 problem don’t branch out to another problem by complicating the issue even further.

Anyway, cars and motorcycles are going electric nowadays. The less people use fossil fuel cars, the less government have to subsidize. And those who are unable to change to electric due to cost will enjoy more subsidy from government. Less people more share.

“Bringing back RON 92 is not viable, according to Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz. “New cars are made for RON 95 and above. Going back will only create havoc to the industry” What a brazen liar. The only havoc for the industry is how to recalculate the profit margin to fleece the rakyat.
As others have pointed out, other countries are using RON 91 with no issues. Is this person telling us that cars are specially made for our higher base RON rating? Give me a break. The manufacturers have to specially tune the ECU’s to deal with the poor quality fuel in this country, where we have our own specification. It’s not just Euro 2,3,4,5 or 6, but have to add a special M designation after it so we get to escape the full specification. On top of that claim to have the cheapest fuel in the region/world. Compare apples with apples la not apple and durian.

Nowaday, we still can afford to buy things.
Its just the “thing” you bought getting smaller and lower quality.
You still can afford a house at RM300k, but with only 700sqft.
Same the the petrol fuel. From RON97 to RON95 to RON92…

no corruption ! rakyat definately can enjoy better life…. I don want blam gov what they did the past.. of course , we rakyat hv to be works harder for better future. we don sit and wait tat only 500 what tat fund called !!
As we all knows tat SG without natural resaurces but well done tat country , can get SGD 2.5 chickens rice in every food courts, their home appliance sell so cheap !! the road so nice !
whatever lah ron 92 !!!

Quite boring this petrol thing. These people not listening. They dont want to. They cannot stomach it. Once in 4-5 years they will come to you and pretend to listen. You dont succumb to this trickery. If you do then u suffer for another 4-5 years and by the time of it again, trickery comes again. Thats ‘angel you know’

There is no divine right the new one comes and they will listen to you. But they may have to. Because you proved that you hold the power. Well thats why the new one is there instead the old one.

So collectively people can hold the power and your voice will be listened to. Its no longer about if. You voice will be heard and adhered to.

Everyone is talking about reducing the cost of living but not enough people are talking about increasing income, either by raising salaries, improving the RM exchange rate or improving our education system so that our graduates can contribute to the economy and not just be grab or Uber drivers. Anyone graduating over the past 20 years would realize that starting salaries haven’t changed much since the 1990s.

look it in such a way that the low-income earner that use old Saga, Iswara, Kancil, Kelisa or motorcycle, they can use this fuel. in fact, small lorry, carrier (for business) can minimise their business budget.

Why still talking about subsidies when targeted approach works for those in need? Just scrap whatever subsidies remaining and open the market. Then gip support (ie BR1M, SL1M, PP1M, etc) to those that needs them.

Instead of crying for cheaper fuel, why don’t ee ask for cheaper cars instead? Cheap car, expensive fuel, total cost will still be the same. Then people will buy more fuel efficient cars and learn to drive in the way that saves fuel.

Also i find when i driving an automatic car, high tendancy to accelerate and then brake every 5 – 10 seconds (even with gentle drive) compared with manual car where i can cruise control and maintain speed easily, even with slightly underpowered car.

Make buses/public transport more punctual and more reliable map route for them, this will attract more daily driving commuters to try buses and public transport. I hope RapidKL/Penang can develop an app to inform that the next bus is how many stops away from the current bus stop (like Beijing, China).

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